Game Controllers

I spend a not-insignificant amount of time thinking about game controllers. At this point, I might as well be a game controller collector. Not only do I have multiple controllers for each console I own (obviously), but I’ve also got a number of them that I’ve purchased for playing PC games throughout the years. If you count all of the 8bitdo controllers I’ve purchased for retro gaming, then I’ve definitely wrapped my mitts around a fair few gamepads.

Continue Reading

The PlayStation 5 is barely out of the gate - particularly in regions like Europe - but Valve has wasted little time in bringing DualSense controller support to Steam. Steam's DualSense support is still in the early stages of testing, which means it isn't live for all users yet. Still, assuming that their games are using the Steam Input API, developers don't have to do anything to get DualSense functionality up and running in their games, which is certainly a nice touch.

Continue Reading

The latest and greatest iPhone and iPad models are capable of high-end mobile gameplay, but you probably don't want to limit yourself to touchscreen controls. A number of third-party Bluetooth controllers with iOS and iPadOS support are available, but if you already own a gaming console, there's a good chance you can use the console's controller with Apple mobile devices. The Xbox Series X and Series S are currently an exception.

Continue Reading

A new version of the Razer Xbox controller was revealed today for Xbox Series X and S. Razer Wolverine V2 is one of three Razer Wolverine controllers available from Razer right now, the lot of which work with Xbox Series X and S. Razer Wolverine V2 is the least expensive of the three, with the Tournament Edition adding on another $20, and the Ultimate adding another $30 on top of that.

Continue Reading

Some might take for granted how sophisticated a game controller can be, especially when compared to a more complicated console it's paired with. Given how much more wear and tear it faces, however, it's even more crucial for these essential gaming accessories to be more modular and repairable. The DualSense controllers for the PlayStation 5 are definitely not your run of the mill gamepad and iFixit's teardown proves just how more complicated it has become in some ways while still being repairable in others.

Continue Reading

If you're following the official Xbox Twitter account, then you may have noticed an image of a surprisingly detailed Mandalorian-themed Xbox One controller and a matching charging cradle pop up there today. That is apparently the latest creation from Controller Gear, and it'll be releasing later this year. Before you decide you want it, you should probably take a look at the price, because this controller will definitely set you back a significant amount of cash.

Continue Reading

Microsoft is really pushing its Xbox game streaming, both with "local" Remote Play as well as cloud gaming via Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, previously known as Project xCloud. But while the likes of Google's Stadia initially aimed from TVs via the Chromecast, Xbox cloud gaming prioritized a more mobile experience. Gaming on smartphones, however, doesn't always have the same feel, especially when there are no physical controllers available. That's why Xbox is now rolling out its new Touch Controls to improve its cloud game streaming experience with a twist.

Continue Reading

With new consoles on the horizon, we're seeing a lot of companies - specifically fast food companies - kick off giveaways. Here in the US, Taco Bell is giving away Xbox Series X consoles, while Burger King is giving away PlayStation 5s. It seems that folks over in the UK are getting their own fast food Xbox Series X giveaway through KFC, but what's particularly notable about this giveaway is the KFC-themed Xbox wireless controller that serves as a consolation prize for those who don't win a console.

Continue Reading

Game streaming is starting to pick up with Microsoft and then Amazon jumping into the arena. Of course, it has also become controversial with Apple blocking many of these streaming services and the companies' attempt to work around that limitation. Of these new services, Microsoft's Xbox Cloud Gaming via its Game Pass Ultimate subscription is unique in its availability on Android phones only, at least initially. Console and PC games, however, don't easily translate to touch screens, and gaming accessory maker Nacon is offering two controllers to help bridge that gap.

Continue Reading

There was a great deal of fuss over the Stadia Controller finally getting support for USB-C audio but it seems that wasn't the only thing Google was cooking up for that port. It was definitely unexpected that Google is apparently looking into using that USB-C port to connect some third-party wired controller to the wireless Stadia Controller. And, no, it isn't about giving players a cheaper way to connect a second independent player to Stadia.

Continue Reading

Google's official controller for its Stadia game streaming service has always been an odd duck. It turns out that when paired with a Chromecast, the Stadia Controller connects to your Wi-Fi network to communicate with Stadia servers directly. Its special behavior has seemingly made it harder for Google to push out features some would consider trivial, like supporting even Android devices and web browsers. Now another promised feature has finally landed, allowing users to connect wired or even wireless headsets via the Controller's USB-C port for an additional audio input and output channel.

Continue Reading

For a time, it almost seemed that Android missed the mobile gaming train with more titles opting to go iOS first or even iOS only. Of course, Google's mobile platform does have thousands of titles, not all of them that noteworthy, but things have definitely improved these past years. It's almost ironic considering how Android has more open support for game controllers but that, also ironically, excludes some of the more popular ones. With Android 11, however, that list grows just a little with the addition of the Nintendo Switch Pro and the now-defunct Steam controllers.

Continue Reading